Autumn 2012

AbDalla (EG) - Campsite Assistant (Until September 26th)

Hi, I'm AbdAllah and I'm from Egypt! I spent a great Summer at KISC and are now enjoying the last few days of my contract here in Autumn.

Alexandros (GR) - Operational Director

Gia Hara! I am Alexandros from Greece and I feel happy and lucky to have the opportunity to work here at KISC, together with the rest of the Staff from around the world! You should also come and live the Dream together with us!

Alvaro (ES) - Multimedia and Design Assistant (until September 30th)

Hola! My name is Alvaro and I'm from Spain! Before you ask - no I've never been in the middle of a bull fight or anything like that! Here at KISC I'm the multimedia computing t-shirt and KanderActive designer. As this was too long to be written on a name badge, it turned into Design Assistant. I like to go outside for a nice walk! (As long as it's not to go back home late in -15°C). I'm looking forward to see you walking in the aquarium and to wave my hand for you smiling at any time! As I work hard, except for the coffee break with my daily chocolate/Nutella/hot chocolate/cereals meal, I'm always there...so come to KISC!

AMY (KR) - Autumn 2012

An nyeong ha se yo! (Hi in Korean) I'm Amy from the Republic of Korea (which means South Korea!) I dreamt to become a Pinkie since I was teenager and finally I'm here as a Shortie. Happy to live my dream for 3 months at KISC with these wonderful friends from all over the world and in this great nature. I love to take a nap under the sun during lunch breaks, or whatever I can do in the sunshine, like hiking and swimming! During the next three months I will do everything that I can to experience all of KISC and Switzerland. Do you want to join me living in a dream? We will be waiting for you at KISC!

Andrea (CH) - Office Manager

Tschou zäme! My name is Andrea and I’m the Office Manager. I’m responsible for the Finances and all the Administration Stuff that no one else wants to do. I live in a little Chalet in Kandersteg and I’m a member of the steering committee of the Junior Chamber International Frutigland. In my free time I love to go shopping! But I also try to be a bit sporty and I’m going weekly to my Zumba training. Kandersteg is my most favorite town to live in so I spend also a lot of my free time in the wonderful nature of the Bernese Oberland.

Andry (MG) - Autumn 2012

Hi, I'm Andry from Madagascar and I like to move it, move it! Back home I really enjoyed hanging out with my friends, organising jungle parties for our King Julian. This is something I will definitely miss at KISC but the next three months will be at least equally as fun. When I'm not busy deep cleaning rooms (one of us Autumn Shorties' favourite pastimes) I like to have long phone calls late in the evening. Together with Sam, the KISC Grounds Assistant I'm planning to set some penguins free at the Oeschinensee this Autumn - and it might actually work, if they could survive in Madagascar, they'll sure be able to handle the more chilly temperatures in the Swiss Alps.

BEN (US) - Autumn 2012

Hi, I'm Ben and I'm originally from the land of the free and home of the brave - that's correct, the US of A. I left the home of freedom, democracy and liberty to explore good ol' Europe a bit, starting of with 3 months in the middle of Switzerland. I am fascinated by product package designs - this might sound trivial, but the amount of work that goes into designing and developing those is simply incredible. Did you know for example that there's more that 68 different ways to wrap up a box of pencils and ship it all over the world. I know, fascinating, right? My biggest goals for my 3 months at KISC is thus to find a way to create the perfect packaging for a Swiss cow, in pink of course.

Caoimhe (IE) - House Assistant

Dia Duit, I'm Caoimhe (pronounced KEEVA) from Dublin, Ireland. Despite being Irish, I actually do eat more than just potatoes and would gladly live on chocolate if I could !! I love to read, hike and especially sing and you can often find me singing to myself. I am delighted to be a Pinkie and I know that I am going to have an amazing experience here at KISC.

Olá! I am Catarina from Portugal, and I am the International Friendship Assistant. That’s quite a nice name, no? One of my favourite passions at KISC is to be outside with our guests, running a campfire or guiding a hike in the Alps. Sometimes I think about why this place is so special to me… it’s difficult to find a reason, but: imagine you're waking up in your bedroom, you look at the window and see mountains everywhere, all around you! You look to their top and you feel so small and lucky at the same time… Also, when a lot of Scouts are at the Centre, you can actually feel the BP’s dream coming true: a Permanent Mini-Jamboree is happening here, in an International Friendship environment, and that is AMAZING! Come to KISC and have a look! You’ll understand what I mean!

EliN (SE) - Catering Assistant

Hi, I am Elin and everyone here at the Centre seems to have trouble pronouncing my name. It usually comes out sounding a little like "yelling". I think that is ironic since I am on the quiet side, you know, thoughtful. I am from Ahus, (don't worry they can't pronounce that one either) Sweden. It is a town about 10 minutes from the 22nd World Scout Jamboree site and before you ask, no I didn't sell tickets for hot showers or use of my washing machine and dryer. I love homemade lasagna, my rainbow coloured beanie, Tim Burton films, being in nature and taking hikes, my camera Hemingway, the colour green and making lists - but not in that order. I can't wait for you to come to KISC so you can try some of the amazing concoctions I make up in the kitchen!

Ginger (CH) - The Cat in Olave's Shadow

Meow, I'm Ginger the other cat at KISC. The only thing that I like less than Olave are photo shoots. So no worries, I am not back in Reception, stealing Olave's chair - I just made the humans use this old photo of me. Autumn is a fantastic time at KISC as I can finally do my favourite thing on Earth again, going for long strolls over the Campsite without getting bullied by millions of Scouts. Why do I like the Campsite so much, you ask? Easy, it's really quiet there in low season, no one to disturb me, so if you see me during your visit, please don't tell any of the Staff members or else that papparazzi guy is waving his camera in front of my face again! Still, I really like attention from time to time - if you want to hear me making a chainsaw-like purring noise, feel free to give me a stroke if I'm around.

Harry (UK) - Autumn 2012

Hello, my name's Harry and I'm from a little town called Torpoint in Cornwall, England, U.K, Europe, planet Earth. I returned here as a Pinkie because I fell in love with Kandersteg four years ago when I came as a Scout and because I secretly love the colour pink! In my spare time at KISC, I like to stroll around the village, eat lots of cake, eat all the leftovers in the fridge and sleep in the Staff Room with Rory the roaring lion. My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is living, working and laughing with all the other awesome Pinkies from across the world and the endless supply of magical food! Happy Days!

Irene (CH) - Eco Adventure Assistant (Until September 24th)

Grüezi, I'm Irene, from Switzerland, or more precise a small village about 2 hours away from Kandersteg. As a Swiss person, I naturally like the 3 C's - cows, chocolate and cheese! I am super excited to be the Eco Adventure Assistant at KISC doing lots of things to save our planet. That's why in my free time I try to take it down a notch and focus on practicing my jodelling and Alphorn skills! So whenever you're around Kandersteg and see a lone pink person singing on a mountain top, that's probably me!

Jack (UK) - Reception Manager

Hi, I’m Jack and I’m originally from London, UK, however there are not nearly enough mountains in London for my liking. I love being outside, especially when the sun is shining! I’m hoping for a very sunny autumn, where I can squeeze in lots of climbing and hiking. I will be found in the mountains or on my sunny balcony on any day off, and can be found sat on the bench in front of the Chalet chatting to Olave or reading a book during lunch breaks. At work you’ll often find me hanging out around the coffee machine, especially if there’s cake! I also like arranging/fixing smile of the week, and will accept bribes. I really enjoy working in Reception with Olave, our cat! So I’ll see you when you arrive!

Javi (ES) - Autumn 2012

¡Olà muchachos! I am Javi and I come from Spain. After having been in Kandersteg several times with the Spanish Work Party, I fell in love with the place and decided to stay here for longer. The other reason, and please don't tell this to my fellow Spanish amigos, is that I felt like the Pinkies needed some support for the football game against the Work Party which they usuall lose. So with my help, I hope that this year we can crush the Spaniards and restore glory and honour in the Centre! It is time for the Pinkies to rise!

Jay (US) - Campsite Manager (Until September 30th)

Howdy y'all, I'm Jay from beautiful Boston in the US. As home of the Boston Tea Party, I take pride I reminding people at KISC that the American dream all started in Boston and take fun in throwing their tea cups onto the floor if they don't agree with me on certain aspects of the American way of life. What can I say, I just like starting my own little revolutions. It has been a great Summer as Campsite Manager at KISC, so great in fact that I'm only returning home for a short time soon, only to return back to KISC in another position. Intrigued? Pop by here in Spring 2013 to see me in an entirely new role!

JEANETTE (SE) - RECEPTION ASSISTANT (until September 30th)

After discovering the smoothing feeling of popping bubble wrap, I no longer have to worry about a breakdown when I leave KISC after 10 amazing months as Reception Assistant. Last days of KISC – bring it on! (But the big question remains – how will Olave survive?)

Johan (SE) - House Manager

Hej hej, I'm Johan from Sweden, the House Manager at KISC! Before you ask, no I don't eat Köttbullar all day long and I didn't invent IKEA - although it is definitely my favourite shop in the world. In fact, I like it so much that I came up with a little game which consists in guessing the name of a piece of furniture by just getting told its article number! So far I'm the unbeaten champion in it. Around here I'm only known as Johan the First as I was the first in a row of Johans from Sweden to arrive at the Centre in Autumn 2010. And now excuse me for my sudden leaving, but I have a floor to spot mop!

JON (UK) - Programme Director

Hi, I’m Jon from the Uk and I am KISC's Programme Director. When I’m not working you can usually find me out in the mountains testing activities for our guests. I like any sports that involve wearing helmets. Cakes are another passion, and I’m working my way through the selection at the local bakery.

JORGE (ES) - Grounds & Maintenance Assistant

Hi, I'm Jorge from Spain, but everyone here just calls me Georgy as those Central European have big trouble rolling the "j", "r" and "g" in the right Spanish way - and as my name basically only consists of these letters, this is kind of a problem. I really like splitting wood, so I spent all of Spring and Summer splitting every fallen tree on the Campsite. I now can tell what kind of tree I have in front of me just by seeing how it splits! In Autumn, I am looking forward to working with the Spanish Work Party, bossing them around and beating them in the legendary football game. Go Pinkies!

Lieveke (NL) - Programme Admin Assistant (Until September 30th)

Hi! Lieveke's the name and the Netherland's the game! For a few more day I'm the Programme Admin Assistant at KISC. I took a break in studying archaeology to come to Switzerland, looking for long lost temple ruins. It was only after a couple of months that someone told me that Switzerland and temples don't really work well together, mainly because no ancient civilisation ever dwelled in these areas. Disappointed I turned towards KISC where I got this job of looking for long lost treasures between old badges and incorrectly filed vouchers.

MagdalÉna (CZ) - Guest Services Director

Ahoj! I am Magdaléna from Prague, Czech Republic. Being the Guest Services Director, I work to ensure that all the guests enjoy their stay and have wonderful time at KISC. In my free time I love to go skiing and cross-country skiing, hiking, watching movies, reading books or having a nice cup of tea.

Melanie (UK) - Assistant Programme Director

Hello, my name is Melanie and I come from Northern Ireland, a country with a strange mixture of Irish and British culture. Because of this, I like to dress up as a leprechaun while admiring pictures of the Queen. I am also a big fan of Bear Grylls, an obsession I constantly have to defend at the Centre. When you visit you’ll probably find me hiking or climbing epic mountain tops - adventures that inspire me to write guitar ballads about the beauty of mother nature.

Michael (DE) - Maintenance Manager

Most of the time you can find me around the Chalet fixing something, changing light bulbs or new for the Winter season: snow clearing! I am not really a Winter person, so I try to invent more joyful ways of clearing the snow and ice. I can tell you licking it away doesn’t work…!!!

Miguel (MX) - Shop Manager (Until September 30th)

Hi! I am Miguel, I am from Mexico! I like to go hiking, climbing, and swimming. If you don't speak Spanish and you are not from the US or Canada, please talk slowly! I tend to go crazy when someone messes up the Shop tills EJ (hi Sean!) and I love to scare the cats telling them that I don't particularly them! In my free time I love to eat cheesy stuff and ask Magdaléna why she is looking at me "like that". If you think I am cute give me a call!

Miranda (SE) - AUtumn 2012

I'm Swedish, but I accidentally clicked Switzerland on the drop down menu so I ended up here. It seems to be a great place and I'm looking forward to climb some mountains, eat a lot of cheese and learn how to yodel. Also, beeing a shortie is nothing new to me, since I'm 150 centimeters pure energy.

Myriam (CH) - General Director

Hejo! As the General Director, I am the one who takes overall responsibility for the whole KISC businesses. From the deepest of my heart I support the dream of international friendship, among all people being present at the Centre. Originally Swiss I have some language capabilities that are quite useful here: I speak Swiss German, French and English and understand Italian and a few words of Russian. If I’m not working I love hiking and knitting, both whilst singing.

Olave (CH) - Secret Centre Overlord

Hi fans, you already know and love me, but for those of you who don't, I'm Olave, officially I'm from Switzerland and people think I rule this Centre - a propagandistic lie invented by PR people making up ridiculous descriptions for me. Recently I discovered a new hobby: sleeping while everyone else at the Centre is working. First, I wanted to pick up step-dancing, but it just didn't work as well with my second favourite pastime: hiding under the coke machine! Sometimes, when I feel like it, I climb on top of the vending machine to look down onto the humans and confuse them as no one expects me there! Anyways, next time you come to KISC, bring me some cat treats, I adore those! Until then, au revoir, mes amis!

Penny (ZA) - Autumn 2012

Hello! My name's Penny and I come from sunny South Africa! Currently, I am freezing here in Switzerland as it is almost Summer in the southern hemisphere, while here Winter seems to be knocking on the door. Back home, I have a huge collection of various cow bells from throughout the world, so I hope to collect a missing Swiss piece here in the Alps. It might be interesting to explain this to the guys at the airport security check on my way back home, but I'll figure something out. I also like to wear horse racing hats - unfortunately they are a bit unhandy while cleaning inside the Chalet, so I won't get to wear them much around here.

POl (LU) - PR & Marketing Assistant

Aloha, I'm Pol (or Captain Awesome as the other Staff like to refer to me) and I'm from Luxembourg, one of the 12 citizens of this fictional country. Recently I decided to become a super hero and took on the title of Lieutenant Luxembourg to fight crime in and around Kandersteg. Unfortunately Kandersteg is a rather quiet place, so this doesn't really fill me out. But then again, this leaves me with enough time to go climbing and hiking in the rest of my spare time. When I don't meet up with other superheroes to form the Pinkengers initiative, I like cooking spicy and exotic dishes for my flatmates and make up Staff descriptions for cats and lazy people. Another passion of mine are giving lectures about the philosophical and ethical implications of time travel and their relation to the Doppler effect.

Saki (HK) - Autumn 2012

Bonjour, I am Saki from Hong Kong. There's nothing I love more in life than Scouting, close second is only my obsessions with craters on the Moon. I could spend hours looking up at Earth's only natural satellite and imagine strolling over its barren, cold surface. It makes one feel so small knowing that out there, in the vast nothingness of our universe there's so much more undiscovered space that our petty struggles on Earth don't seem to matter at all. And to me the Moon's craters are a symbol of that - deep, unexplored, mysterious. I also like roses. Red ones, especially.

Sam (UK) - Grounds Manager

Hello, My name is Sam and I'm from Liverpool in the UK. I first came to KISC in the Summer of 2010 with my Scout group from Lydiate. We had a fantastic time and I would recommend it to everyone. I started working here at KISC, in October 2010, as a Helper in the Arabian Suite renovation. Since then, I have been a member of the Short Term Staff team for Winter 2011 and I have just completed a full 12 months as KISC's Grounds Assistant. All the time I've spent in Kandersteg I have thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to a busy Autumn season working with this great team to make KISC ready for Winter 2013.

Sean (US) - Catering Assistant (Until September 30th)

Hello there! I'm Sean from the U.S. of A. Although I try to hide this fact, I do have a soft spot for cheeseburgers and my big ol' black Ford truck. In the kitchen I enjoy cleaning drains and sanding our arsenal of wooden spoons while singing my heart out to Bob Dylan or any other music older than your parents. Outside of the kitchen I enjoy waxing my boots in preparation for all of the hiking I enjoy doing on days off. The summits around Kandersteg call for me!

Vanya (BG) - Admin Assistant

Hi, I am Vanya form Bulgaria! I like reading, dancing with friends and cuddling my lovely cat Frederik. When I'm not cuddling Frederik, I'm in the Admin Office coming up with new creative way to count bills and file them according to the whiteness of the paper they are printed on. Recently, I have picked up learning German and hope to bring like this a bit of German order and correctness to KISC Administration! Jawohl!

Will (UK) - Catering Assistant

I'm Will from the UK - almost from Scotland, which explains my weird accent. I'm the most sport loving person at KISC, ready for dart in the breaks or a day on skis - that is once it starts snowing at the end of November. Cricket is the greatest sport on earth, but I also hurt my rib playing it, so I'll scream if you touch it! If you don't misunderstand my sarcasm or Scottish expressions, I'll make you laugh a lot and I'm always good for a friendly smile or hug.

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Help us!

We need your help to keep B.P.'s dream alive! Have a look at our "Donations" page to see the different ways of how you can help out.

UNGUIDED HIKES

ECO ACTIVITIES

One of the main themes of our Programme the environment is important to all Scouts. We have Guided and Self-Guided Programme as well as the Eco Adventure Room and environmental information around the Centre and Campsite.